We're pretty much over the rainiest July we can recall, so is sunshine really on the way? Don't get our hopes up, Met Éireann...

We really miss the sweet smell of barbecued food and sun cream that we experienced during our short-lived May summer, but will those olfactory treats be returning to us any time soon? Not quite yet, but there's hope on the horizon for a late summer resurgence.

The Met Éireann forecast says that, for the week of Monday, August 21st to Sunday August 27th, we can expect "a drier signal than previous weeks is suggested with high pressure in the Atlantic having more of an influence. Rainfall is expected to be close to normal in most areas but drier than normal near the west and north coast. Temperatures remain close to average. An easterly airflow is possible at times."

Although they also state: "There is little confidence in the forecast at this stage." Great news, you guys. Juuuust great. The full forecast for the next three weeks is as follows:

Week 1 (Monday 31 July to Sunday 06 August)

This week is expected to remain changeable with low pressure at the surface and also aloft dominating. It is expected to average out a little wetter than average but with probably lower rainfall totals than occurred in in the previous week. This is due to high pressure to the southwest of Ireland exerting an influence over the country too, and some largely dry periods can be expected at times.  The potential for the heaviest showers looks to be over Ulster. Temperatures will be around average for the beginning of August. It may be breezy at times especially over Ulster coasts. Week 2 (Monday 07 August to Sunday 13 August) Changeable weather is predicted for this period bringing the potential for some summer showers which could be heavy or thundery. Rainfall totals will remain a small bit above normal for the time of year. Temperatures are expected to be close to the seasonal average for most areas, though it may turn out slightly on the cool side near parts of the south coast. High pressure is expected to build over the Mediterranean. Week 3 (Monday 14 August to Sunday 20 August) Confidence in the forecast is low at this stage. There are no strong signals though it looks like high pressure will dominate the Mediterranean with more changeable weather likely over Ireland, the UK and northern Europe. Rainfall totals are still expected to average out a little above normal over Ireland with temperatures near to normal. At this time of year heavy or thundery downpours cannot be ruled out.

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